THE ALBURNETT CHURCH CHATTERER AND THE PRAIRIE CHAPEL CHIPS COMBINED NEWSLETTER OF THE ALBURNETT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND PRAIRIE CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH VOLUME XX NO. 9 SEPTEMBER 2016 Alburnett United Methodist Church Prairie Chapel United Methodist Church 319-842-2388 319-377-7506 E-MAIL: [email protected] E-MAIL [email protected] SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30AM SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:00AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:30AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:15AM REV. JON MOSS, PASTOR Cell Phone 319-651-4883 Pastor Jon’s email: [email protected] A Word from Pastor Jon This month is a continuation of sharing some good articles concerning Christian community. My desire is to see us continue to grow closer to each other and identify ways we can uplift and affirm one another. I trust that from this article you will have a deeper appreciation for the value of presence with those who are in need regardless of whether they are part of our church family or members of our community. The God Who Shares Your Pain “God-with-us” is our best and deepest comfort. Matthew 1:21–23; John 1:1–14 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us”. Matthew 1:22-23 We have lost the simple but difficult gift of being present to each other. We say, “Why should I visit this person? I can’t do anything anyway. I don’t even have anything to say. Of what use can I be?” We have forgotten that it is often in “useless,” unpretentious, humble presence to each other that we feel consolation and comfort. Simply being with someone is difficult because it asks that we share in the other’s vulnerability, enter with him or her into the experience of weakness and powerlessness, become part of uncertainty, and give up control and self-determination. And still, whenever this happens, new strength and new hope are being born. Those who offer us comfort and consolation by being and staying with us in moments of illness, mental anguish, or spiritual darkness often grow as close to us as those with whom we have biological ties. They show their solidarity with us by willingly entering the dark, uncharted spaces of our lives. Likewise, God is a God-with-us, a God who came to share our lives in solidarity. It does not mean that God solves our problems, shows us the way out of our confusion, or offers answers for our many questions. He might do all of that, but his solidarity consists in the fact that he is willing to enter with us into our problems, confusions, and questions. That is the good news of God’s taking on human flesh. As soon as we call God “God-with-us,” we enter into a new relationship of intimacy with him. By calling him Immanuel, we recognize that he has committed himself to live in 2 A Word from Pastor Jon solidarity with us, to share our joys and pains, to defend and protect us, and to suffer all of life with us. We will never really know God as a compassionate God if we do not understand with our heart and mind that he lived among us (John 1:14). How do we know this as anything more than a beautiful idea? We know this because in Jesus, God’s compassion became visible to us. Jesus has embraced everything human with the infinite tenderness of his compassion. —HENRI J. M. NOUWEN, DOUGLAS A. MORRISON, and DONALD P. MCNEIL From COMPASSION by Henri J.M. Nouwen, D. Morrison & D. McNeill, © 1982 by Donald P. McNeill, Douglas A. Morrison, and Henri J.M. Nouwen. Used by permission of Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc. A source that I appreciated and would be good for further reading on this subject is Joe Pennel’s book listed below. Pennel, Joe E. The Gift of Presence: A Guide to Helping Those Who Suffer. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, ©2009. Let’s Care for One Another, Pastor Jon PARISH NEWS… September Lectionary Readings September 4, 2016 Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 16th Sunday after Pentecost Philemon 1-21, Luke 14:25-33 September 11, 2016 Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; 17th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10 September 18, 2016 Jeremiah 8:18-9:1; Psalm 79:1-9; 18th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13 September 25, 2016 Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16; 19th Sunday after Pentecost 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31 3 Immersion Bible Study Galatians Ephesians Philippians Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible- -stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections. We will study the background, historical context, and then move into each chapter as we look at these letters of Paul for what they meant to the original audience and then reflect on the meaning for us today. Starting the week of August 28th we will study the book of Galatians for about 6 weeks and then take a break. We will use the same pattern for Ephesians and Philippians. Books are available – See Pastor Jon First Class: Prairie Chapel: Sunday, August 28th 2:00 – 3:30pm Fellowship Hall. Alburnett: Monday, August 29th 6:30 – 8:00pm Confirmation Room. Newsletter Deadline for October 2016 Newsletter Articles due in Office Monday, September 19 Newsletter Folding Party Wednesday, September 28 MARION SENIOR LIVING FUNDRAISER: Join us Thursday Sept 8th from 5:00-7:30PM for a great meal and fellowship time! Our Lasagna Dinner Fundraiser will be catered by Zio Johno's. Admission: Adults are $10.00 Children 3-10 are $5.00 Children under 3 are free. Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at the door or you can pre-order online. Location: Faith Lutheran Church, 155 Boyson Rd, Marion, IA 52302. Can't make our event? Donations are appreciated! http:// marionseniorliving.com/event/lasagna-dinner-fundraiser-2016/ 4 The Church Chatterer… THE ALBURNETT CHURCH CHATTERER Visit our Web Site at http://www.alburnettumc.org FINANCIAL FACTS Fact: 2013 Expenses Budget: $70,362 Fact: $5,863.50 needed per Month for Expenses Fact: $1,353 needed per Week for Expenses Contributions Attendance 7/31 552.00 7/31 36 8/7 1350.00 8/7 49 8/14 1304.00 8/14 38 8/21 661.00 8/21 46 8/28 N/A 8/28 N/A SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: After an awesome summer of raising tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, kale, and cabbage. LET’S GET TOGETHER every Sunday morning beginning September 11 from 10:30-11:30AM...But not before we start off the fall session with a BBQ on Aug. 28th, right after the Worship Service. Please join us on a new adventure of sharing about Jesus love with bible lessons, crafts and song. Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World! ~Education Committee . OMELET BREAKFAST: September 17 from 7:00-11:00AM. Invite all your friends! Sign up sheets are being passed at church for workers and donations. 5 The Church Chatterer… ADDITIONAL COMMUNION SERVICE 6 Starting in September we will have an additional Communion Service on the 3rd Sunday of the month after the worship service. This is for anyone who would like to participate or those who missed Communion on the first Sunday, and for our Sunday School teachers and workers who are leading Children’s Discipleship Classes each week. As others are in the fellowship hall after service feel free to come into the sanctuary and join in a short communion service. That’s the 3rd Sunday of the month starting September 18th. - Pastor Jon SEPTEMBER MISSIONS PROJECT Our mission project for September will be UMCOR Health Kits. Health kits provide basic necessities to people who have been forced to leave their homes because of human conflict or natural disaster. Health kits are also used as learning tools in personal hygiene, literacy, nutrition, and cooking classes. See the list below for items you can donate, and please read carefully, because only certain items and sizes can be put in these kits. Please place any items on the collections table in Fellowship Hall. Donations for purchase of these items are also welcomed. Thank you. The Missions Committee 1 hand towel (15 x 25 up to 17 x 27, no kitchen towels) 1 wash cloth 1 comb (8 in. long and sturdy, not pocket -sized) 1 toothbrush (unopened in original packaging; not child sized) 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. & up in wrapper; no Ivory or Jergens) 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages (¾ inch) THANK YOU FROM THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER to the donors of Alburnett Community for the blood drive you recently held with MVRBC. Donation rates may fluctuate depending on the season, but the demand for blood products at the hospitals we serve is constant.